Short "a" as in cat, hat, and bat. This is the most common sound for "a" and is represented by the symbol [æ].
Long "a" as in cake, name, and fate. This sound is represented by the symbol [eɪ].
Broad "a" as in father, car, and palm. This sound is represented by the symbol [ɑː].
"a" followed by "r" as in car, far, and star. This sound is represented by the symbol [ɑː].
Other sounds:
* "a" in "want, talk, and caught" is represented by the symbol [ɔː].
* "a" in "day, say, and play" is represented by the symbol [eɪ].
* "a" in "about, how, and now" is represented by the symbol [əʊ].
It's important to note that these are just some of the most common sounds for the letter "a". There are many other variations depending on the surrounding letters and the dialect of English being spoken.